SPEEDY MARATHON
In 2019, Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge made his second official attempt to run a marathon in less than two hours. Finishing in 1:59:40, Kipchoge achieved the fastest marathon in history. Kipchoge used a pair of Nike’s Alphafly carbon-plate shoes. Because the conditions were tailored towards this achievement, with pacemaker runners keeping Kipchoge on target, the time doesn’t count as a marathon world record. The significant impact that carbon-plate running shoes have had on running has caused controversy. For some runners, the increased performance is an exciting opportunity to maximise running potential. For others, the benefit changes what it means to be a good runner. Instead of prioritising physical talent, many believe running ability is now determined too much by the quality of the shoes runners own.